Chapter 25 - VIVIENNE TAKES THE STAND
Vivienne testified in pearls.
Of course she did.
She began with family history.
Tradition.
Sacrifice.
My father.
The old rules.
The prosecutor let her talk.
Then narrowed everything.
“Did you possess Matteo DeLuca’s duplicate hospital band?”
“Yes.”
“Did you possess Everett Hale’s discarded band?”
“Yes.”
“Did you remove Matteo’s correct bracelet?”
“Yes.”
“Did you place Everett’s bracelet on Matteo?”
“Yes.”
There.
No denial.
Then:
“Why?”
“To create a pause.”
The prosecutor stared.
“A pause in what?”
“Roman and Elena’s certainty.”
My hands tightened.
Then:
“Why did you want uncertainty?”
“So they would consider temporary placement.”
“With Bianca?”
“Yes.”
“Had Elena agreed?”
“No.”
“Roman?”
“No.”
“Did Bianca know about the false bracelet?”
“No.”
Good.
Then:
“Did you expect Dr. Mercer to scan it?”
“Yes.”
“Did you expect a mismatch?”
“Yes.”
“Did you expect Roman to keep the infant at the table?”
“No.”
“What did you expect?”
Vivienne lifted her chin.
“That he would separate the child until identity was confirmed.”
“Where?”
“With Bianca.”
There.
Then:
“Who gave you authority to decide that?”
Vivienne’s answer came without hesitation.
“I am the head of this family.”
The prosecutor waited.
Then:
“Legally?”
Silence.
“No.”
That was the whole case.
Then motive.
“Why Bianca?”
“She has given everything to this family.”
“And Elena?”
“She married into it.”
I felt Elena go rigid beside me.
Then:
“Did Elena’s status as the infant’s mother matter?”
Vivienne stared.
“Of course.”
“More than your preference?”
Long pause.
“At the time, no.”
There.
Finally.
Then the defense asked:
“Did you intend to keep Matteo from his parents permanently?”
“No.”
“Did you intend physical harm?”
“No.”
“Did physical harm occur?”
“No.”
All true.
Then:
“Was your plan based on your belief that Roman would eventually agree?”
“Yes.”
The prosecutor objected to speculation about my future consent.
Sustained.
Vivienne’s belief did not create my consent.
May you like
Then the judge recessed.
The verdict would come the next day.
